Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath Education Trust and St Gregory’s School are joining forces to change the way people think about apprenticeships at an event taking place at the Guildhall on 18th October.
Local students, aged 16 – 18, and their parents are invited along to the free event to meet employers offering opportunities and advice and to find out more about apprenticeships in general.
The audience will have the opportunity to hear from employers and training providers and to grill an expert panel with their questions.
Cllr Patrick Anketell-Jones, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “Promoting apprenticeships and giving our residents the skills that employers are looking for are both key ambitions in the Bath & North East Somerset Economic Strategy.
“We are delighted to be working with our local partners and employers to make this ambition a reality.”
“Our delegates are so keen to support this event because they know that they are offering valuable opportunities and they want to tell young people about it,” said Martin Gailey, Head of Applied Learning at St Gregory’s.
“We are lucky to be hearing from such a wide range of employers and providers, large and small, so our audience will get a real feel for how top notch apprenticeships can provide a springboard for future success.”
The event is open to all Bath & North East Somerset students and their parents who are considering their options after sixth form.
The event starts at 7pm with networking, followed by presentations from employers and training providers with a question and answer session from 8pm – 9pm, and a further opportunity for networking and informal questions.
A free ticket is required for entry and can be found here.
A YouGov survey, commissioned by Reed in Partnership and NCFE, found that young people aged 18-24 are the least likely age group to see the merit of an apprenticeship.
In reality degree and higher apprenticeships offer debt-free professional education to degree level and valuable work experience.
Apprentices earn whilst they learn and have the additional bonus of ensuring young people can stay free of debt and can start off their professional and adult careers sooner.
Professional apprenticeships at higher levels are now offered across most employment sectors, providing a genuine alternative to conventional university degrees.